Shadow Fleet

The tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil / oil products, including by making STS transmissions in the area of the Kavkaz anchorage near the Kerch Strait.
Thus, the tanker makes frequent calls to the anchorage area near the Kerch Strait, turns off AIS, and conducts STS transmissions in the area, including in January 2025 with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9280885, which belongs to the shadow fleet involved in the transportation of sanctioned russian oil/oil products.
The vessel is also affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Rosewood Shipping LLC (TIN 6167088540), a shipping company specializing in the logistics of oil products using its own fleet. The founder of Rosewood Shipping LLC is South Energy LLC (TIN 6167088571). The management company of Rosewood Shipping LLC is a sanctioned russian company, NZNP Management JSC (TIN 9725007881), which is affiliated with NZNP JSC (one of the largest suppliers of oil products in southern russia, TOT of Ukraine).
On January 10, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker has been implicated in the export of russian crude oil to third countries from ports in the Black Sea and Baltic Sea, including while operating with its Automatic Identification System (AIS) disabled. It was previously involved in the transportation of Venezuelan oil before switching to the carriage of designated russian-origin crude oil.
The international NGO Greenpeace has identified the tanker as part of the shadow fleet transporting russian oil globally via the Baltic Sea, including through the Cadet Canal area in the Bay of Mecklenburg, posing risks to the environment.
The tanker sails under the flag of Cameroon, which is included in the Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MOU) blacklist of flags, compiled on the basis of vessel inspection results for technical condition.
According to the analytical centre Lloyd’s List, the tanker is an example of high-risk, dark, and deceptive practices linked to fraudulent actions by technical management companies, which resulted in the allocation of unique International Maritime Organization (IMO) numbers to them. In response, the IMO Legal Committee established an intersessional working group to define the levels of due diligence required for the use of the unique identification number scheme for company owners and IMO-registered shipowners.
On October 15, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price-cap policy on russian crude oil / petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products from the russian ports of Primorsk, Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea to third countries, and resorts to the practice of conducting dark activities in the Baltic Sea with the AIS signal turned off.
The vessel is affiliated with the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), one of the leading operators of the so-called shadow fleet involved in the export of russian crude oil / petroleum products in 2022-2023.
The shipping company Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE) was established shortly before the G7 countries adopted a price-cap policy on russian oil after russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers.
After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company "re-signed" its fleet to other companies.
The tanker is managed by The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC, which also operates other tankers affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC.
On April 11, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the captain of the vessel IMO 9282481.
The tanker, IMO 9282481, is part of a vast shipping empire controlled by Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani, the son of Ali Shamkhani, the chief political advisor to the Supreme Leader of Iran.
Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani uses corruption through his father's political influence at the highest levels of the Iranian regime to build and operate a huge fleet of tankers and container ships. This network transports oil and petroleum products from Iran and russia, as well as other cargoes, to buyers around the world, generating tens of billions of dollars in profits.
The Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani network consists of a huge fleet of ships, ship management firms and front companies that launder billions of dollars in profits from global sales of Iranian and russian crude oil and petroleum products, most often to buyers in China. The network takes significant steps to disguise its operations and obfuscate its ties to the Shamkhani family, Iran, and russia.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE), Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), Algae Ship Charter FZCO (UAE), The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE), with which the tanker IMO 9282481 is affiliated, are among the companies that have played a significant role in the management and operation of the Shamkhani tanker fleet.
On July 30, 2025, USA imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9282481.
Since October 24, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

Since September 2022 and during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and price-cap policy on russian oil, the tanker has been involved in exporting russian oil from russian ports in the Baltic and Black Seas to India, mainly, and has also been involved in violating the G7 and EU embargo. In particular, in March 2023, it was transporting russian oil from the russian port of Kavkaz in the Black Sea to the EU countries (Laconikos Gulf, Greece).
The international NGO Greenpeace refers to the tanker as part of the shadow fleet of tankers that transport russian oil around the world and threaten the environment.
The commercial management of the vessel is carried out by the Turkish company Westanker Ltd, which is included in the list of 11 new 'players' in the Turkish segment of the russian shadow fleet management, which together since the beginning of 2024 have been managing 47 tankers and helping russia to circumvent the price ceiling regime for russian oil. Thus, on the same day (February 22, 2024), six oil tankers ІМО 9308077, ІМО 9321677, ІМО 9282508, ІМО 9390587, ІМО 9413004, ІМО 9326885, which were operated by the sanctioned company Fractal Marine DMCC, were transferred to the management of the Turkish company Westanker Ltd. All six tankers in 2024 are actively involved in the transportation of russian oil from russian ports in the Black, Baltic Seas and Arctic regions of russia.
The tanker's security is managed by Wanta Shipping LLC-FZ (UAE), which also manages 19 other vessels affiliated with Fractal Marine DMCC.
Fractal Marine DMCC (UAE, under UK sanctions) is one of the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet in 2022-2023, and played a significant role in the transportation of russian oil. Fractal Marine DMCC operated a fleet of 28 tankers as an intermediary between ship owners and charterers. Fractal Marine DMCC, together with Gatik Ship Management (India) and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC (UAE, under UK sanctions), are considered to be the leading operators of the russian shadow fleet, which in early 2023 assembled a fleet of about 90 tankers, 90% of which transported russia's oil/oil products from russian Baltic and Black seas ports to India, China, Turkey, the Middle East, Africa and South America. In less than a year, the $2 billion fleet of oil tankers assembled by Fractal and Gatik could transport more than 40 million barrels of oil/oil products. Fractal Marine DMCC, Gatik Ship Management and Radiating World Shipping Services LLC in the tanker market helped russian oil continue to circulate around the world, and the russian government to provide multibillion-dollar revenues bypassing sanctions.
On February 22, 2024, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on Fractal Marine DMCC in connection with its involvement in servicing the russian energy sector. After the sanctions were imposed, Fractal Marine DMCC tried to challenge the sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom but lost in court. After that, the company 're-signed' its fleet to other companies.
Since December 19, 2025, the EU has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since January 13, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 12, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, and resorts to deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near Malaysia, making STS transmissions with russian affiliation).
In early January 2023, the tanker IMO 9422988 made an STS transmission in international waters of the South Korean anchorage with the help of the russian tanker IMO 9301407 (under sanctions since January 2025, affiliated with the sanctioned russian company PJSC Sovcomflot), which had previously been loaded at the russian oil terminal De-Kastri.
The tanker IMO 9422988 is involved in an established chain of supply of russian crude oil/petroleum products to third countries by making STS transfers in the area near European countries, in particular, with the sanctioned tanker IMO 9247443, which since July 2024 has been operating in the area near Greece, Cyprus as a transshipment STS hub for russian crude oil/petroleum products, which are transported by tankers mainly from the russian ports of Tuapse, Novorossiysk, Taman crude oil/petroleum products transshipment complex for transshipment near European countries. In January and March 2025, tanker IMO 9422988 conducted STS transmissions with tanker IMO 9247443 near Greece and Cyprus, respectively. There are other STS transfers near Cyprus and Greece in 2025 with other tankers of the russian shadow fleet (IMO 9352195, IMO 9314882, IMO 9263203, IMO 9299862, IMO 9198290, IMO 9424651), which were sanctioned by the EU, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom in May 2025.
Transshipment of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin by STS method at sea allows concealing the ownership and origin of the cargo, legalizing their supply to the EU, USA and other countries. In turn, the sale of crude oil/petroleum products on the world market allows the russian state budget to accumulate significant financial resources, which are used, among other things, to build up the military potential of the aggressor state and to provide material support for russia's military operations on the territory of Ukraine.
The tanker is involved in the transportation of Iranian oil to Chinese refineries, for which it was sanctioned by USAA in March 2025.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
At the end of 2025, the tanker was used by Trafigura to transport Venezuelan oil to the US as part of US-imposed controls on Venezuelan oil.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil, is involved in the export of russian Urals and ESPO crude oil to China and India from the russian ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea, and Kozmino in the Pacific region on behalf of PJSC Lukoil, PJSC Gazprom, and PJSC Surgutneftegaz.
The tanker is also involved in the transportation of Iranian petroleum products. Since early 2024, the tanker has transported tens of thousands of metric tons of fuel oil on behalf of the sanctioned National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC) to China.
The international non-governmental organization Greenpeace classifies the tanker as part of russia’s shadow fleet.
On March 13, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the vessel as part of restrictions targeting Iran’s oil and petrochemical sectors.
On December 19, 2025, and January 13, 2026, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, imposed sanctions on the tanker for transporting crude oil, petroleum products, or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, as well as for engaging in high-risk shipping practices as defined by Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the tanker.
The tanker engages in deceptive shipping practices by manipulating its identifying information—its name and flag state.

Since February 2023, the tanker has been involved in the export of russian Urals crude oil from russian ports on the Baltic and Black Seas, primarily to India and China, on behalf of russia’s largest oil companies, PJSC Oil Company "Rosneft" and PJSC "Surgutneftegaz".
In February 2023, the vessel was sold by Frontline (New York, USA, whose majority owner is shipping billionaire John Fredriksen) to an unknown company, Bay Global Maritime Inc., registered in Liberia, which was registered as the vessel’s owner and commercial manager.
In June 2023, the Turkish company Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd, incorporated on May 26, 2023, became the vessel’s safety manager. Pier Denizcilik Ve Ticaret Ltd managed the safety of two oil tankers affiliated with the sanctioned PJSC "Sovcomflot"—russia’s largest state-owned shipping company providing services and support for offshore hydrocarbon production, as well as the transportation of russian oil, petroleum products, and liquefied gas.
As of September 2024, management of the tanker was transferred to The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC (UAE). The Zulu Ships Management & Operation - Sole Proprietorship LLC is part of the shipping empire of Iranian oil magnate and major arms supplier to the Russian Federation, Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
On July 30, 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker IMO 9408695 as part of restrictions targeting the shipping empire of Mohammad Hossein Shamkhani.
On October 24 and December 13, 2025, the EU and Switzerland, respectively, imposed sanctions on the vessel IMO 9408695 in connection with the transport of crude oil/petroleum products or mineral products originating in or exported from russia, as well as the engagement in high-risk shipping practices as defined by Resolution A.1192 (33) of the General Assembly of the International Maritime Organization.
On December 13, 2025, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of restrictions targeting the russian shadow fleet.
On February 24, 2026, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On June 12, 2026, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.

During the oil embargo and price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, the tanker is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products, in particular from russian ports on the Baltic Sea.
The vessel is also involved in the transportation of iranian crude oil/petroleum products.
The tanker is the property of the sanctioned russian maritime shipping company MG-Flot LLC (formerly Transmorflot LLC). In May 2022, USA imposed sanctions on Transmorflot LLC and its vessels involved in the transportation of weapons for the russian federation. The commercial manager of the vessel is a sanctioned russian company, Marine Trans shipping LLC (TIN 3025037914), which also operates the Adler (IMO 9179854), a roll-on/roll-off vessel involved in arms transportation.
The vessel is also affiliated with LLC PSB Leasing (TIN 7722581759, related to the sanctioned PJSC Promsvyazbank (TIN 7744000912), a systemically important state-owned banking institution of the russian federation, which finances the russian defense industry, services significant volumes of state defense contracts of the ministry of defense of the russian federation, and provides banking services to the russian military, in particular mortgage loans.
MG-Flot LLC is associated with the Astrakhan businessman Pashayev Jamaldin Emirmagomedovich, who built his business around the commercial port of Olya in the Astrakhan region. This very place was proposed as a key logistic hub of the international transport corridor "North-South", the creation and construction of which was supervised and controlled by former russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov. The key purpose of the transportation corridor was trade with sanctioned Iran, which could import and export goods via the North-South route. This can thus explain the provision of Iranian oil trade by a fleet of tankers affiliated with a bank controlled by Pyotr Fradkov.
As part of the application of sanctions against PJSC Promsvyazbank, in February 2022, USA imposed sanctions on five vessels (including the vessel "Linda" (current name "Inda"), which were owned at the time by PSB Leasing LLC as a subsidiary of PJSC Promsvyazbank.
Since September 12, 2025, the United Kingdom has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In November 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 23, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The VLCC-class tanker is involved in transporting russian, Iranian crude oil and petroleum products, mainly to China.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On May 19, 2026, the United States imposed sanctions on the tanker.

The VLCC-class tanker is involved in the transportation of russian and Iranian crude oil, in particular to China.
On October 9, 2025, the US imposed sanctions on the tanker for loading millions of barrels of Iranian crude oil to China.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker, during the period of the G7 and EU oil embargo and the price cap policy on russian crude oil/petroleum products, is involved in the export of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices (disabling AIS, conducting dark activities near russian ports in the Black and Azov Seas, in the Kerch Strait, conducting STS transmissions with russian affiliation (with tanker IMO 9278959) near European countries).
The tanker makes calls to the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular, in October 2024, June 2025.
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Prime Shipping LLC, which provides ISM management of the vessel.
On May 09, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the shadow fleet of the russian federation, including for engaging in activities aimed at destabilizing Ukraine, undermining/threatening the territorial integrity, sovereignty or independence of Ukraine or benefiting from or supporting the government of russia, and participating in the transportation of crude oil/petroleum products of russian origin, in particular, from russia to a third country.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since September 18, 2025, Australia has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 20, 2026, New Zealand imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.

The tanker is involved in the transportation of russian crude oil/petroleum products using deceptive, high-risk practices in the Black Sea.
The vessel calls at the ports of the TOT Crimea of Ukraine, in particular in March and May 2025 (ports Crimea, Komysh-Burun).
The tanker is affiliated with the sanctioned russian company Prime Shipping LLC, which provides ISM management of the vessel.
On February 24, 2025, the United Kingdom imposed sanctions on the tanker as part of the restrictions on the russian shadow fleet.
In June 2025, Canada imposed sanctions on the vessel.
In June 2025, Australia imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since October 30, 2025, New Zealand has imposed sanctions on the tanker.
Since December 13, 2025, Ukraine has imposed sanctions on the vessel.
On February 21, 2026, Ukraine imposed sanctions on the master of the vessel.
On April, 2026, the EU imposed sanctions on the vessel.
Since May 22, 2026, Switzerland has imposed sanctions on the vessel.